U.S. Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., District 7 | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., District 7 | Official U.S. House headshot
On May 8, 2024, the Fire Grants and Safety Act was passed by the House of Representatives with a vote of 393 to 13. This bipartisan bill was introduced by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and co-led by Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09), who is also the co-chairman of the House Fire Services Caucus. The bill aims to support and advance firefighter and first responder services across the nation.
The legislation incorporates language from H.R. 4090, the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which Congressman Kean previously championed through the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
The Fire Grant and Safety Act will provide a five-year reauthorization for several programs including the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) Program.
Original cosponsors of this bill include House Science Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (OK-03), Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (GA-10), Research and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Haley Stevens (MI-11), Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02), as well as Congressional Fire Services Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Rep. Michael Bost (IL-12), and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).
Congressman Kean expressed his gratitude towards his colleagues for their overwhelming bipartisan support stating that "All across the country, firefighters and EMS personnel work through danger and uncertainty every day to protect their neighbors." He added that this bill will help ensure that firefighters have proper training and equipment to continue protecting communities.
Congressman Pascrell also voiced his support for the bill stating that since their creation, "the AFG and SAFER programs have provided over $14 billion to fire departments and first responders from coast-to-coast. They have saved countless lives."
Congressman Kean, who serves on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, spoke in support of his bill on the House floor.
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